“What Is a Lollipop Breast Lift?” Ask Cosmetic Surgery Patients
Updated for 2018
The lollipop breast lift claims to return breasts to a more youthful look with only minimal incision lines. In reality, while the lollipop lift is sold by those who do it as “less scar and great shape,” I can achieve better results with the T incision breast lift.
What’s the difference between a lollipop breast lift and a more traditional approach?
Lollipop Breast Lift: A Commonly Requested Technique
The lollipop breast lift is often requested specifically by women who want a breast lift but are concerned about the resulting scar. Breast lifts are performed with two main techniques:
- For small adjustments, the periareolar lift may be performed, which involves only an incision around the areola. The limited access and flexibility of this procedure makes this alternative acceptable for only a minority of patients.
- The T incision, or anchor incision, is the most common approach for breast lifts. This technique combines a periareolar incision with a straight incision that runs from the bottom of the areola to the middle of the breast crease. The incision also runs along the breast crease, creating a distinctive T-shape pattern.
A lollipop breast lift falls squarely between these techniques, combining a surgical incision in a ring around the areola with a straight incision running downward. However, the incision does not extend along the breast crease.
Why the Lollipop Lift Falls Short
[pullquote]While lollipop lift scars are shorter, they also tend to look worse.[/pullquote]
As much as using smaller or fewer incisions appeals to patients, the reality is that limited incisions also equals limited access to the area… and therefore, limited results.
Very few women are true candidates for a minimal incision or lollipop breast lift. The majority of women who would see great results from breast lift surgery benefit from a traditional approach. Once you see the flattering outcome, any concern over scarring fades right along with the scars themselves.